US EditionCairn's complete dedication to its arduous climb may turn off many, but I found it to be a fulfilling, gratifying, and thoughtful adventure
- Recently, French developer The Game Bakers released Cairn, a survival climbing video game available on PlayStation 5 and PC.
- Designed as a simulation, Cairn commits fully to a limb-based ascent of the fictional Mount Kami, echoing controls from QWOP, GIRP, and Baby Steps.
- Players must manage survival tasks like foraging, collecting water, mending gear and placing pitons, with a free-solo mode; the main campaign lasts about 15 hours and MSRP is $29.99.
- Critics note that Cairn pairs punishing climbing with a soul-searching narrative about patience, obsession and sacrifice, though the final act drags and its focus may deter some players.
- Its timing follows a recent Alex Honnold free-solo feat, and Cairn may be the first survival climbing game, contrasting with social co-op titles like Peak.
16 Articles
16 Articles
TEST - More than just a game of climbing, Cairn imposes itself as a formidable introspective adventure, which tells a lot about our fears and obsessions. However, the title is not free of imperfections.
Cairn's complete dedication to its arduous climb may turn off many, but I found it to be a fulfilling, gratifying, and thoughtful adventure
With its complete dedication to replicating the mechanics, drive, and satisfaction of climbing, The Game Bakers have cooked up a tough but hugely rewarding adventure game that means I can easily look past its few annoyances.
The mountain to climb in Cairn, released on January 29, contains many secrets, challenges and adventures. This independent video game created by a French studio was enthusiastically welcomed by the Anglo-Saxon critic. Grimper is a rich and complex experience, but also very rewarding.
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